Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What is OCD?

We all experience that feeling of anxiousness or fear when we think we forgot to lock our car door or turn off the stove when we left our house. However, that little burst of obsessive-compulsive behavior that you experienced is not even close to what an individual diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder endures on a daily basis. For those who have been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, these feelings and behaviors are unwanted, uncontrollable, and very overwhelming.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD, is a mental health disorder in which individuals experience repetitive, obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Unfortunately, these thoughts and behaviors negatively affect the way these individuals live their lives and may influence the way they think, their decision making, and their social behavior. Many individuals suffering from OCD feel hopeless because they are incapable of overcoming these compulsive thoughts and behaviors, but have not been successful when it comes to accomplishing this task.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is said to effect 1% of the U.S. population and is present in both men and women. Many individuals begin to experience OCD around the age of 19, but there have been many reports of OCD being recorded in teens as young as 14 years of age.

What Causes OCD?

Although it is unclear of what exactly onsets Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, there are many factors that have been identified as causes of OCD. Some of these factors may include:

Genetics

Environment

Suffering with other mental health disorders

Family history of OCD or mental health disorder

Suffering from neglect

Inadequate support network

Undergoing stress

Experiencing the loss of a loved one

Signs & Symptoms of OCD

The symptoms displayed by individuals suffering with OCD can be broken down into two categories: obsessive symptoms and compulsive symptoms. While some individuals may favor symptoms from just category, many may suffer with symptoms from both.

Obsessive symptoms are very invasive and in no way wanted by the individual. Obsessions can include repetitive and consistent thoughts, images, or urges, and can decrease a person’s ability to focus on anything else in life. Obsessions may also lead to severe stress and anxiety. Some symptoms of obsessions may include:

Suffering from undesirable thoughts

Experiencing graphic, disturbing thoughts

Seeing inappropriate thoughts in one’s mind that may be religious or sexual

Suffering from excessive concerns that have to do with symmetry or arrangement of things

Constantly worrying about germs or contamination of things

Experiencing aggressive impulses

Compulsive symptoms are characterized by unusual behaviors that make people feel as though they are forced to perform even though they do not want to. When the compulsion to act on these behaviors comes about, individuals who suffer with OCD feel powerless and cannot avoid acting on these behaviors. If they do not act on these behaviors, they will experience high levels of stress and anxiety. Some examples of compulsive symptoms can include:

Checking and re-checking certain tasks to ensure they have been completed

The inability to stop repeating a task or word, such as turning a light switch on or off a certain amount of times before leaving a room

Feeling compelled to touch objects a certain amount of times or a certain way

Feeling the need to constantly rearrange things, such as your office desk or home furniture

Having difficulties with throwing away items, also known as hoarding

Engaging in behaviors excessively, such as bathing or cleaning

Long-Term Effects of OCD

When individuals are denied of or do not receive the proper treatment for their OCD, long-term effects will occur that can be damaging. In addition, when proper treatment is not received, the OCD symptoms that the individual suffers with will begin to intensify, which will lead to even more disturbances and issues in their life. The effects of untreated symptoms on OCD may include:

Inability to meet employment expectations

Isolation from others and flawed relationships

Alienation from friends and family members

Self-inflicted injuries

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

Developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol

Development of other mental health disorders, such as depression

Getting OCD treatment at the Florida House Experience

Here at The Florida House Experience, we pride ourselves in being on the forefront of mental health care, offering cutting-edge approaches that integrate the medical, psychiatric, and clinical components of treatment, such as our Neuro-Rehabilitative Services. We firmly believe that any mental health disorder diagnosis should be quantifiable and that the recommended treatments for our patients have been proven effective.

While other treatment centers diagnose based only the description of symptoms, also known as “guess work,” we utilize a series of biometrics, based on brain imaging, genetic blood testing, and other advanced protocols to provide our patients with a full interpretation of their condition. These biometrics and diagnostic tools are used to scientifically track the progression of treatment and even predict when our patients will experience a “flare-up” with their disorder. By using state-of-the-art systems, like our qEEG-guided Neurofeedback, we are able to personalize each patients’ treatment plan to fit their specific needs. In order to satisfy the needs of each patient, we offer an 8-Tier Neuro-Rehabilitative treatment program which includes:

Comprehensive Neuro-Psychological Testing

Heart Rate Variability & Biosound Monitoring

Quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG)

QEEG-Guided Neurofeedback Training

Electrical Nerve Stimulation Therapy

High Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Stimulation Therapy

Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy

Computerized Cognitive Brain Training

Get Help Today

We are available 24/7 to answer your questions and concerns. Fill out the form below to begin your journey towards recovery today!